Art lovers perused more than a dozen demonstrations, exhibits and pop-up galleries while music lovers braved sizzling temperatures to enjoy a Beatles tribute band Saturday, September 6, as the 2014 Newtown Arts Festival sprang to life with overlapping events sponsored by Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (SHOP).

Several weeks ago, as owners of the Art in Residence fine art gallery, we were invited to attend a S.H.O.P. meeting to hear more about the upcoming Sandy Hook Artwalk. While there, we met Melissa Lopata, the event marketing director.

At her request, Rosemary became an advisor with regard to the selection and installation of art works in the various Sandy Hook shops.

Melissa is easy going, savvy and sincere in her commitment to see Sandy Hook prosper in every way.

The Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (SHOP) announces Artwalk, the first village-wide event of its kind in Sandy Hook Village, where talented and inspirational artists from around the state will share their visual works with community attendees. The self-guided event will launch on September 6, at 11:30 am, and will continue for four weeks.

The hope, say organizers, is that Artwalk will be an ongoing and ever-changing event throughout the year.

Bill Wisnowski, left, and Leif Smith, right, accompany Susan Lang with the folk sounds of My Dad’s Truck on August 16, for the kick-off performance in the Choose Love Concert Series. The Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (SHOP) is hosting the event held outdoors, on the Sandy Hook Village Green, weekly through mid-September.

Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (SHOP) announces the first of what it hopes will be an annual “Choose Love” Outdoor Summer Concert Series, to be performed in downtown Sandy Hook Village. Performances will begin Saturday, August 16, and continue weekly until September 13.

Performances will be from 1 to 3 pm at Sandy Hook Village Green, at 5 Glen Road. Each event will include a free, outdoor seated musical performance and tents with free arts, crafts and creative movement opportunities for the kids.

SHOP (Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity) President Joe Hemingway presented Newtown Scholarship Association President Glenn Nanavaty with a donation of $1,000 on Thursday, July 17.

The donation will go to fund SHOP’s third annual scholarship, and the Newtown Scholarship Association will choose the deserving recipient of the scholarship, who will be a Sandy Hook resident interested in pursuing a business major in college.

Kevin Liniger, a 2014 Newtown High School graduate, was the recipient of this year’s scholarship.

I would like to thank everyone that attended our 3rd annual wine tasting on June 14th at the Sandy Hook Firehouse. We had a great turnout and it was a very successful event. We want to thank the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Co. for allowing us to use their incredible space once again this year.

On behalf of S.H.O.P. (Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity) I would like to thank Bill Halstead and his team at Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue for assisting in putting up and maintaining the flags in Sandy Hook Village.

I would also like to thank Anthony Capozzielllo and his team at the Highway Department for assisting with the flower boxes in Sandy Hook Village. Sandy Hook Village is truly a place within us all.

This year’s 2014 Great Pootatuck Duck Race on May 24 drew a bustling crowd. Parents and children filled the river’s banks in Sandy Hook Center, lining fences along the water near The Foundry, and across the rushing current, filled the lot behind Porco’s Karate Academy on Church Hill Road.